Motorcycle accidents cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year. Motorcyclists suffer traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and life-threatening injuries that cause physical, emotional, and financial damages. Because of the nature of the vehicle, crashes are often far more dangerous and traumatic for the motorcyclist than the driver of the other vehicle. Unfortunately, we saw an increase in the number of accidents involving motorcycles during 2016.
The number of motorcycle crashes in Maryland increased slightly from 2015 to 2016. The deaths in motorcycle accidents also increased during the same time. This corresponds to national statistics that show a 5.1 percent increase in the number of motorcyclists killed in 2016.
Motorcycle accidents cause traumatic injuries and deaths each year in Maryland. The devastation caused by a motorcycle crash can change the lives of riders and their families forever. Call 410-661-9440 if you or a loved one has been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident.
How Many Motorcycle Crashes Occur in Maryland Each Year?
On average, there are 1,581 accidents involving motorcycles each year in Maryland. From 2012 to 2016, there was an average of 67 fatal motorcycle crashes and 1,153 injury crashes involving motorcycles each year in Maryland. In 2016, 1,291 people were injured, and 75 people were killed in motorcycle accidents across the state. In both cases, these numbers represent a slight increase from the previous year.
Who is to Blame for Motorcycle Accidents?
As with other motor vehicle accidents, there are several reasons why a motorcycle crash occurs. Some reasons involve the motorcyclist while other reasons are outside of the rider’s control. Common reasons for motorcycle crashes include:
- Motorcyclists error, including impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, drowsy driving, and traffic offenses;
- The actions of other drivers;
- Weather conditions;
- Dangerous or hazardous road conditions; and,
- Defective motorcycle parts.
If the motorcyclist caused the accident, he or she has no recourse for seeking compensation from another party. However, if another party caused the accident, the motorcyclist may recover compensation in a personal injury claim. The liable party depends on the cause of the accident.
For example, if another driver causes the accident, the claim would be against that driver and its insurance provider. However, if a dangerous or hazardous road condition caused the accident, the claim could involve a state or local government agency or a private contractor. Accidents caused by defective motorcycle parts would involve the manufacturer and other parties responsible for the defective part.
It is important to identify the cause of the crash so that you identify the liable party. You can only recover compensation if you can prove that a party was at-fault for the crash. A Parkville motorcycle accident attorney can perform a comprehensive accident investigation to determine the cause of the crash and identify the liable party.
What Should I Do After a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
The most important thing after a motorcycle accident is your health. If you are injured, call 911 for emergency assistance. However, it is also important to protect your right to recover compensation for injuries after a motorcycle crash. If you are conscious and able to talk to witnesses, it can be very helpful to ask for contact information for each witness. Eyewitnesses can be very beneficial during an accident claim, especially if the other driver is contesting fault. If you are not severely injured, taking photographs or making a video of the accident scene can also be helpful.
After you have received medical treatment for your injuries, you should contact a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney. Motorcyclists are often blamed for accidents, even if the rider did not do anything to contribute to the cause of the crash. If the insurance company can blame the motorcyclist, it may be able to get out of paying the claim.
Because of Maryland’s pure contributory negligence statutes, a motorcyclist could be barred from receiving any money for a claim if the insurance company can prove that the rider contributed to the cause of the accident in any manner. Even if you are only one percent at fault for the crash, your claim can be barred. Therefore, you need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Parkville working to protect your right to recover full compensation for all injuries.
Contact a Maryland Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Help
We understand that you have suffered a traumatic experience and you may be experiencing a financial hardship because of the accident. Our law firm offers free consultations and accepts cases on a contingency fee basis.
For your FREE consultation with a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney with Pinder Plotkin, LLC, call 410-661-9440.
